Ian Ziering, best known to many viewers for his roles on Beverly Hills, 90210 and the Sharknado film franchise, is now at the center of a civil lawsuit connected to a New Year’s Eve incident that unfolded in Hollywood in late 2023. The case revisits a widely reported street confrontation involving a group of motorized minibike riders and brings renewed attention to an event that occurred in broad daylight on one of Los Angeles’ most recognizable streets.
According to the Los Angeles Police Department, the altercation took place on December 31, 2023, around 3 p.m. on Hollywood Boulevard near Highland Avenue. Authorities told KTLA at the time that officers responded after reports of a physical dispute between a motorist and several riders. The reason for the confrontation was not immediately clear. Video footage later circulated online showing multiple moments of the clash, including the actor stepping out of his vehicle and several riders surrounding him.
Lawsuit Revives Details From the 2023 Hollywood Boulevard Incident
Nearly two years after the encounter, one of the riders involved, Jacob Hernandez, has filed a civil complaint in Los Angeles County Superior Court. The filing, first reported by TMZ, names Ziering as a defendant and includes claims of assault, battery, and emotional distress. Hernandez alleges that the actor verbally confronted him and later shoved him to the ground while the riders were maneuvering their minibikes between cars and waiting for an opportunity to safely change lanes. The complaint further claims that the incident resulted in personal injury and damage to Hernandez’s vehicle.
The lawsuit also revisits the immediate aftermath of the confrontation. Months after the incident, Hernandez was arrested on suspicion of felony vandalism after investigators reviewed video evidence that led to his identification. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office later declined to file criminal charges in that matter. In the current civil action, Hernandez is seeking compensatory and punitive damages, stating that the episode has had a lasting effect on his mental well-being.
Ian Ziering’s Public Response and Official Police Findings
In the days following the 2023 incident, Ziering addressed the situation in a verified Instagram post. He explained that while he was stopped in traffic, one of the riders approached his vehicle in an aggressive manner, leading him to exit his car to check for potential damage. He stated that the situation escalated into a physical confrontation and said his actions were driven by an effort to protect himself. Ziering also shared that his young daughter was present at the scene and that both of them were unharmed, while expressing concern about public safety and the need for effective law enforcement responses.
The Los Angeles Police Department later released a news statement summarizing the investigation. Police said video footage showed Ziering confronting a rider who was blocking his vehicle before additional bikers joined the confrontation. One rider was seen swinging an object toward the actor, and authorities reported that the group vandalized the vehicle while a child remained inside. Additional footage showed Ziering comforting his daughter after the riders left the area. Now 61, Ziering has not issued a public comment on the newly filed lawsuit as of this writing.
